(Regenerative Medicine) Spinal Cord Regeneration Using iPS Cells

Keio University Hospital will begin accepting patients starting June 28 for a clinical trial using human iPS cells to treat spinal cord injuries. Previously, there has been no effective treatment method for spinal cord injuries except rehabilitation. Currently, there are no other reports worldwide of using iPS cells to regenerate the spinal cord.

The clinical research is being conducted by a team led by Professor Masaya Nakamura (Orthopedics) and Professor Hideyuki Okano (Physiology) at Keio University Hospital. Approximately 2 million cells capable of transforming into nerves, cultured from another person's iPS cells, will be transplanted into patients whose spinal cords were damaged by traffic accidents, falls, or sports injuries. It is expected to take one year to verify safety and efficacy.

The plan is to initially accept one patient starting June 28. The target is patients aged 18 or older who have complete paralysis of motor and sensory functions during the subacute phase, within 2 to 4 weeks after spinal cord injury. After the first patient's transplant, three more patients will be recruited. The reason for selecting patients in the subacute phase is that the expectation for nerve regeneration effects is higher compared to patients in the chronic phase who have been injured for some time.

Source: https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/8264de109b048af86421d4a997fe50dbd3e8c778

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